HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NEWS RELEASE: LoPresti Praises DOE Plan for Air Conditioned Portables at Campbell High School

Honolulu, Hawaii – State Representative Matthew LoPresti (District 41 – Ewa, Ewa Villages, Ewa Beach, Ewa Gentry, Ocean Pointe) was pleased to learn today that James Campbell High School will receive eight portables with built in air conditioning amounting to 15 classrooms for their campus to address heat and capacity issues.

“I am pleased that these fully air-conditioned portable classrooms will be coming to Campbell High School towards the end of this year. I have heard constant concerns regarding overcrowding and classroom temperatures of over 100 degrees and this is becoming a serious health risk for students and teachers. This is a big step, but if we don’t do even more soon, we will continue to put the health of students and teachers at risk,” said LoPresti.

Since taking office this year, over the past eight months, LoPresti, a member of the House Education Committee, worked tirelessly to secure $8 million total in funds for air conditioning in Ewa Schools including Ilima Intermediate School, Ewa Beach Elementary School and Ewa Elementary School. He petitioned Governor Ige to release, and he has released, $2.3 million in funds for air conditioning upgrades for James Campbell High School. LoPresti also pushed for $4 million for James Campbell High School to address the capacity crisis there, to design more classroom space, and this money was included in the last budget.

“These 15 new classrooms killed two birds with one stone,” said LoPresti.

The portable classroom structures were originally used during the emergency lava evacuation for Keonepoko Elementary School. When it became clear these portables would not be needed, Representative LoPresti requested (May 6, 2015) that they be sent to James Campbell High School.

“I am pleased at the quick turnaround from my request in May to getting a commitment for these 15 air conditioned classrooms just 3 months after,” said LoPresti.